THE VOICE -- December 2009
The Newspaper of Neighborhood House
When Vicki Williams’ sister opened the Life Enrichment Bookstore 14 years ago, she strived to create a place where she could provide the community with products that accurately reflect the history, knowledge and dignity of the African American community. The African-American-themed bookstore was meant to remind people of their greatness.
Williams, who is now the owner, described a childhood education that offered very little information to African-American children about their history. She said that to this day, it is the children who are one of the main inspirations for keeping her business going. One can tell, by walking around the store and seeing all the educational materials geared to children of all ages.
All kinds of educational materials, from coloring books to comic books featuring historical figures in black history, are displayed on the shelves. There are educational games such as a Black Heritage Trivia game, and puppets of legendary leaders, such as Sojourner Truth.
The idea is to combine education and fun and bring a sense of pride in learning one’s history.
This store is more than just a bookstore. There’s a collection of President Obama memorabilia displayed (they advertise having Seattle’s best Obama selection). I never knew that you could get an insulated coffee cup celebrating the historical election or purchase magnetic paper dolls of President Obama and the First Lady, complete with wardrobe changes!
There are colorful greeting cards, which you are not likely to find elsewhere, as well as African art and fabrics. For those who really like popular history, there are even old Ebony and Jet magazines.
This is the place to come to if you need to find Kwanzaa greeting cards, or even organize a Kwanzaa celebration in your community. (Kwanzaa is an African American cultural celebration that takes place late this month.)
Besides being full of treasures to browse through, the store also often hosts community events. On one cold and rainy afternoon last month, the spicy aroma of homemade ginger tea filled the store, while a circle of people gathered to hear Mona Lakes Jones, a previous Poet Laureate of King County, read from her latest book. Her words, evoking memories of Southern-style cooking and celebrating community and culture, could easily make one feel that it wasn’t so dreary outside.
Life Enrichment Bookstore is located on 5023 Rainier Ave. S., just past Hudson St. in the center of Columbia City. Take the #7 or #9 bus, exit at Edmunds St. and walk two blocks south. Store hours are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. The phone numbers are 206-722-1700 and 206-650-8791.
There is also a Web site where you can shop online at www.lebseattle.com, but I really advise going to the store itself because it is so full of history and is quite unique.
There are some places right in the neighborhood to grab a cup of coffee or eat lunch as well. There is even an old fashioned ice cream store called Full Tilt Ice Cream, which serves handmade ice cream and has old fashioned pinball machines right near the bookstore.
South Seattle is, in fact, full of unique places to visit.
Lynn Sereda is a Section 8 tenant who lives in Southeast Seattle.
By Tyler Roush
The Voice editor
Regardless of the outcome of the Nov. 3 general election, Seattle and King County would see new leadership in the offices of Seattle mayor and King County executive.
With ballots in and the election certified, voters have elected Mike McGinn as mayor of Seattle and Dow Constantine as King County Executive.
In a race that wasn’t resolved until nearly a week after Election Day, McGinn edged Joe Mallahan, an executive for a wireless company. Returns on election night showed McGinn, an environmental attorney, holding a slim 500-vote lead over Mallahan. But that cushion grew to nearly 5,000 as elections workers counted the returns from King County’s first-ever all-mail general election. Mallahan conceded the race during a press conference the night of Nov. 9.
There was much less drama in the race for King County Executive, which Constantine won decisively over Susan Hutchison.
Constantine, the chair of the King County Council, opened with a large lead on election night, prompting Hutchison, best known as the longtime local television news anchor, to concede the following day.
The two races were unusual, in that both were without an incumbent. Then-Executive Ron Sims accepted an appointment as deputy secretary of HUD last fall, and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels lost in the August primary.
Voters pass R-71, Housing levy, turn down I-1033
Two statewide measures and a Seattle levy issue were also of particular interest this year.
Voters statewide approved Referendum 71, which upheld Washington’s law to extend domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples — commonly referred to as the “everything but marriage” law. The referendum passed by a wide margin in King County, with voters breaking better than 2-to-1 in favor. That helped buffer the referendum against opposition throughout much of the rest of the state.
Seattle voters voiced overwhelming support for a renewal of the housing levy, with better than 65 percent voting in favor. Through the collection of property taxes, the levy (Proposition No. 1 on the ballot) will raise $145 million over seven years for low-income housing assistance. When it was first enacted in 1981, the housing levy established the Seattle Senior Housing Program.
Voters in King County strongly opposed Initiative 1033, contributing to the measure’s failure statewide. In King County, about 69 percent of voters opposed I-1033; statewide, about 58 percent cast a “no” vote.
The initiative, proposed by controversial anti-tax activist Tim Eyman, would have imposed a cap on revenue for city, county and state governments.
In other local races, incumbents Reagan Dunn, Bob Ferguson, Kathy Lambert, Julia Patterson and Pete von Reichbauer won reelection to the King County Council; incumbents Richard Conlin and Nick Licata were re-elected to the Seattle City Council, while Sally Bagshaw and Mike O’Brien were elected to his first term; and John Creighton, Rob Holland and Tom Albro were elected commissioners of the Port of Seattle.
For full results, go to www.kingcounty. gov/elections.
The Local and National section of The Voice will run four pages this month. It will return to its standard length of eight pages next month.
CLASSIFIEDS
The Marketplace of The Voice
South Seattle Community College - We have a place for you!
• Professional/Technical (206) 764-5394
• Adult Basic Education/ESL/GED (206) 764-5363
• High School Programs (206) 764-5805
• Continuing Education (206) 764-5339
• Online/Distance Learning (206) 764-7930
• Four-Year Degrees (206) 764-5387
South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106 • (206) 764-5300 • www.southseattle.edu NewHolly Learning Center, 7058 32nd Ave S, 2nd Floor of NewHolly Learners Bldg., Seattle, WA 98118 • (206) 768-6642
Once again we’re asking for your help wit h baby items. We’re in need of everything. Here is a list of the items we need: Car Seats, 3 different sizes, changing tables, walkers, strollers with umbrellas, play pins, cribs, high chairs, clothes for girls and boys, shoes, blankets, receiving and regular, bottles, lotions, oil, clippers, baby shampoo, comb, temperature testing, baby formula, vaporizers,Vicks Rub, toys to 1 year, bath tub, diapers varies sizes, newborntopull-ups,Desitin ointment, bibs, pacifiers, coats, wetones, baby food, Dreft Laundry Soup,Woolite.
I’m sure you know the rest of the things need. if you can help please call Judy and Tina with your donation.We are having lot’s of babies right now. 206-767-4175 Alliance of People with disAbilities has monthly Peer Groups Peer Groups are a place to talk about common experiences,problems,and solutions. We are a goal-oriented group!
WHEN: 3rd Tuesday of each month, 2:30pm—4:00pm.
WHERE: Wallingford (Good Shepherd Center) 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Room 221, Seattle, WA 98103
For more info or to request accommodation, please call 206545-7055
To place your ad in The Voice contact classmgr@nwlink.com today!
Market Place Coupon
Do you have a couch or other item you want to sell? Take advantage of the free person-to-person classified advertising in The Voice by filling out your 24-word ad below. Remember, write only one word per line and don’t forget to include your telephone number in your ad! Mail your ad before the 18th of the month and it will be included in the next month’s issue.
Name _______________________________ address _____________________________ city _______________________________ state __________________ Zip ___________ Telephone ______________________ e-mail ____________________________________
Write your ad here (one word per line)
check the classification: ❑ items for sale ❑ autos for sale ❑ items wanted ❑ services
mail to: PPC, PO Box 80156, Seattle, WA 98108 fax: 206-461-1285 e-mail: classmgr@nwlink.com w/subject line “The Voice”
TRANSLATIONS
Translated Articles from The Voice
No increase to Washington’s minimum wage in 2010
Минимальная зарплата штата Вашингтон не увеличивается в 2010 году
Минимальная заработная плата в штате Вашингтон не увеличивается в 2010 году и останется $8,55 в час, так как потребительский индекс (Consumer Price Index) за последние 12 месяцев не увеличился.
Отдел труда и производства пересчитывает минимальную зарплату для штата в сентябре каждого года, как того требует законодательная инициатива 688, одобренная избирателями штата Вашингтон в 1998 году.
Закон требует, чтобы минимальная заработная плата в штате Вашингтон увеличивалась с учётом инфляции каждый год, в соответствии с изменениями федерального потребительского индекса для городских и канцелярских работников (CPI-W) за 12 месяцев, предшествующих 31 августа каждого года.
Государственный индекс CPI-W покрывает стоимость товаров и услуг, необходимых для повседневной жизни. Этот индекс уменьшился на 1,9 процента за 12-тимесячный период, кончающийся в августе, за такой же период в 2008 году индекс увеличился на 5,9 процента. Это увеличение 2008 года повело за собой повышение минимальной заработной платы на 48 центов в час в 2009 году.
Со времени утверждения инициативы 688 впервые минимальная заработная плата не увеличивается. Минимальная заработная плата в штате Вашингтон касается как работников сельского хозяйства, так и других несельскохозяйственных работников, хотя работникам 14-ти и 15-тилетнего возраста можно платить 85 процентов от минимальной зарплаты, т.е. $7,27 в час.
Штат Вашингтон один из десяти штатов, таких как Орегон, Вермонт, Огайо, Невада, Монтана, Миссури, Флорида, Колорадо и Аризона, которые регулируют минимальную заработную плату в зависимости от инфляции.
Для получения дополнительной информации о минимальной зарплате в штате Вашингтон посетите вебсайт Wages.Lni.wa.gov или позвоните по тел. 360-902-5316 или 1-866-219-7321.
TIỂU BANG WASHINGTON
SẺ KHÔNG TĂNG MỨC LƯƠNG TỐI THIỂU CHO NĂM 2010
Mức lương tối thiểu sẻ không tăng cho năm 2010 và sẻ giữ ở mức giá $8.55 một giờ, bởi vì Chỉ Số Giá Cả Tiêu Thụ trong 12 tháng qua không tăng.
Bộ Lao Động và Kỷ Nghệ tái ước tính mức lương tối thiểu hàng năm vào tháng Chín chiếu theo luật 688 đòi buộc, bộ luật đuợc người dân Washington bỏ phiếu thông qua vào năm 1998.
Luật này buộc mức lương tối thiểu trong tiểu bang phải được tăng theo mức vật giá hàng năm dựa vào Chỉ Số Mức Tiêu Thụ liên bang trong 12 tháng qua và kết thúc vào mỗi 31 tháng Tám.
Chỉ số giá cả tiêu thụ là mức chỉ số cho cả nước bao gồm giá cả hàng hóa, dịch vụ cần thiết cho đời sống hằng ngày. Mức đo lường này đã giảm đi 1.9 phần trăm trong 12 tháng qua kết thúc vào tháng Tám, so với mức tăng 5.9 phần trăm cùng khỏang thời gian trước tính đến tháng Tám 2008. Mức tăng đó khiến cho mức lương tối thiểu của năm 2009 tăng lên 48 xu một giờ.
Mức lương tối thiểu trong tiểu bang Washington áp dụng cho các công việc trong ngành nông nghiệp và không-nôngnghiệp, dù như thế thì trẻ em ở tuổi 14-15 tuổi có thể chỉ được trả mức lương 85 phần trăm so với mức lương tối thiểu trả cho người lớn, (tức là trẻ em chỉ được trả mức lương ở $7.27 một giờ.
Tiểu bang Washington là một trong 10 tiểu bang, trong đó có Oregon, Vermont, Ohio, Nevada, Montana, Missouri, Florida, Colorado, và Arizona điều chỉnh mức lương tối thiểu dựa vào mức lạm phát..
Muốn biết thêm thông tin về mức luơng tối thiểu của tiểu bang Washington, hãy vào trang mạng Wages.Lni.wa.gov hoặc gọi cho số 360-902-5316 hay gọi cho số 1-866-219-7321.
Lama kordhin doono lacagta ugu yare e lagu shaqeeyo saacaddii.
Maamulka gobolki=u ma kordhin doonaan lacagta ugu yare e lagu shaqeeyo saacaddii oo ah $8.55.
Sababtuna waa iyadoo aan sicir barar dhicin ama aan sicirka maciishaddu kordhin. Wakaaladda shaqada iyo warshadaha ayaa sanadkasta bisha sebteembar, qiimaysa inta ugu yar ee la ogol yahay in qof ku shaqeeyo gobolkaan, taasoo uu dalbayo qodobka 688 oo ay u codeeyeen cod-bixiyeyaasha saadkii 1998kii.
Sharcigu wuxuu qabaa in sanadkas
ta la kordhiyo iyadoo loo fiirinayo sicir
bararka iyo isbedelka qiimaha alaabada marka la barbar dhigo mushaharada shaqaalaha (magaalo-joogta ah) iyo kwa ka shaqeeya karraaninimada (CPIW) labo iyo tobankii bilood ee la soo dhaafay oo ku eg Ogosto 31da.
CPI-W-gu waa liisto ay ku sharaxan tahay qiimaha badeecada iyo adeegyada daruuriga ah. Liistadaani waxay labo iyo tobankii bilood ee la soo dhaafay hoos u dhacday 1.9 % taasoo ku ekayd bishii Ogos ee tagtay. Liiskaani wuxuu kordhay 5.9 % sanadkii 2008ka. Kororkaas 2008ka wuxuu keenay in la kordhiyo lacagta ugu yar ee lagu shaqeeyo saacaddii 48% sanadkan 2009ka.
Waa markii ugu horeysay ee aan la kordhin lacagtaan illaa iyo intii la lagudbiyey qodobka I-688 ee gobolkan.
Lacag koroku waxay intabadan taabanayaa shaqooyinka beeraha iyo kuwa kalaba. Inkastoo 14-15jirka la siin karo 85% ee lacagta ugu yare e qofka qaangaarka ahi ku shaqeeyo am $7.27
Washington waxay ka mid tahay toban gobol oo ee mushaarada saacadlaha ah ee shaqaalahoodu la socdo sicir bararka dalka. Goboladan ayaa waxay lkal yihiin. Oregon, Ohio, Vermont, Nevada, Montana, Missouri, Florida, Colorado, iyo Arizona.
Wixii akhbaar dheeri ah oo ku saabsan mushaarada saacadlaha ah ee Washington la xiriir site-kan wages. Lni.wa.gov, ama wac 360-902-5316 am 1-866-219-7321